What is myelination oligodendrocytes?

Oligodendrocytes are the myelin-producing glial cells of the central nervous system (CNS). Myelin plays a critical role in neuronal communication by insulating the axon, enhancing the propagation of action potentials, and facilitating high-frequency firing (Nashmi and Fehlings, 2001; Hartline and Colman, 2007).

Is oligodendrocyte myelin sheath?

Oligodendrocytes are the myelinating cells of the central nervous system (CNS). They are the end product of a cell lineage which has to undergo a complex and precisely timed program of proliferation, migration, differentiation, and myelination to finally produce the insulating sheath of axons.

How do oligodendrocytes form a myelin sheath?

To act as an electric insulator, the myelin sheath is formed as a multilamellar membrane structure by the spiral wrapping and subsequent compaction of the oligodendroglial plasma membrane around central nervous system (CNS) axons.

What is the difference between myelin sheath and oligodendrocytes?

Myelin is formed by Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS). Each Schwann cell forms a single myelin sheath around an axon. In contrast, each oligodendrocyte forms multiple sheaths (up to 30 or more) around different axons (Figure 1).

What is the role of oligodendrocytes in the CNS?

Oligodendrocytes are the myelinating glia of the central nervous system. Myelination of axons allows rapid saltatory conduction of nerve impulses and contributes to axonal integrity.

What is oligodendrocyte differentiation?

Oligodendrocytes (OLs) are responsible for the myelination of axons in the central nervous system (CNS). The differentiation of OLs encompasses several stages, through which cells undergo dramatic biochemical and morphological changes.

How is the myelin sheath formed in the CNS?

Myelin is formed in the PNS (peripheral nervous system) and CNS by the innermost sheet-like glial process in contact with the axon spiraling around it and spinning out multiple layers of overlapping membrane. Cytoplasm becomes expelled from all but the innermost and outermost layers of the myelin sheath.

How do oligodendrocytes form?

Oligodendrocyte formation in the adult brain is associated with glial-restricted progenitor cells, known as oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). SVZ cells migrate away from germinal zones to populate both developing white and gray matter, where they differentiate and mature into myelin-forming oligodendrocytes.

What are the characteristics of oligodendrocytes?

Oligodendrocytes have small amounts of cytoplasm surrounding rounded nuclei, and possess only a few short processes. There are two main types: satellites around neurons in the gray matter. myelin-forming cells in the white matter.

What is the appearance of oligodendrocytes?

The cell has a rounded, dark nucleus with clumped chromatin. The cytoplasm is also electron dense and contains short cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum with numerous short mitochondria. It is common for these cells to have some dark inclusions in their cytoplasm.